State of Colorado Archives: on Welfare & Poverty
John Hickenlooper:
Use marijuana tax revenue to address chronic homelessness
Almost two thirds of Americans now live in a state that has legalized marijuana in some form. We need to address some of the unintended consequences of legalization. There's no question that marijuana and other drugs--in combination with
mental illness or other disabling conditions--are essential contributors to chronic homelessness. Tax revenue from marijuana sales can and should be used to help those who fall through the cracks, including
hundreds of homeless vets, helping them find stable, supportive housing.We currently spend more than $40,000 per person to perpetuate lives of misery among the chronically homeless.
But for less than a third of that we could invest up front in housing, wraparound supportive services and job training. In every booming economy in the country--like ours--homelessness of all types is a growing concern.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Colorado Legislature
Jan 12, 2017
John Hickenlooper:
More affordable housing via construction defects legislation
Coloradans are being priced out of housing they can afford. We have a housing crisis, plain and simple. Many families are stuck or held down. Too much of their income goes to rent, and homeownership is too far out of reach.Too many people and
not enough units adds up to unaffordable rents and skyrocketing home prices. I've said it before: we need more affordable housing. Part of the answer is the construction defects legislation we almost passed last year and we WILL pass this year.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Colorado Legislature
Jan 12, 2017
Bob Beauprez:
2010: 47% of people happy to let others pay the bill
[A 2010 video] shows Beauprez in a speech to the Denver Rotary Club making comments that echo those that hurt Mitt Romney's challenge to President Barack Obama two years later: "I see something that frankly doesn't surprise me, having been on Ways and
Means Committee: 47 percent of all Americans pay no federal income tax," Beauprez said in the video. "I'm guessing that most of you in this room are not in that 47 percent--
God bless you--but what that tells me is that we've got almost half the population perfectly happy that somebody else is paying the bill, and most of that half is you all."He indicated Democrats had reasons to keep it that way. "I submit to you
that there is a political strategy to get slightly over half and have a permanent ruling majority by keeping over half of the population dependent on the largesse of government that somebody else is paying for," Beauprez said.
Source: Denver Post on 2014 Colorado gubernatorial race
Jul 2, 2014
John Hickenlooper:
One Congregation-One Family: churches mentor homeless
One Congregation-One Family: churches mentor homeless
Addressing our most serious challenges requires partnerships with our faith and non-profit communities. One Congregation-One Family is an example of a project with proven success in housing families and seniors who are homeless.
One Congregation-One Family: churches mentor homeless
We continue to work closely with religious and community partners in metro Denver to bring this successful program to Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Fort Collins and other communities.
Source: 2013 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 10, 2013
Page last updated: Feb 12, 2018